Mechanical pencil



Oct. 2, 1956 G. R. cUsTlN MECHANICAL PENCIL Filed April 17, 1953 R. CusTlN 1N V EN T0 Gustar:-

nited States Patent 1 MECHANICAL PENCIL Gilbert R. Ceistin, Hialeah, Fla. Application April 17, 1953, Serial Noe 349,484 3 Claims. (Cl. 4il-93) This inventionrelates to mechanical pencils, and more Darticularlv. has reference to a pencil of this type which hasl means incorporated in the barrel thereof for providing useful information such as a calendar, conversion tables, addresses, telephone numbers, etc.

One important object of the present invention is to provide' a pencil of the type stated in which the means referred to above will be of the form of a web of exible, rollable characteristics, which web can be cornpactly mounted within the barrel of the pencil adjacent a view window, the pencil having means actnated by rotation of the cap of the pencil, for adjusting the web to selected positions'relative to the window.

Another object of importance is to provide a me chanical pencil of the type stated in which the rotatable cap of the pencil will have ring gear means incorporated therein, said. cap being shiftable longitudinally of the pencil barrel for bringing selected bevel gears into mesh with ring gear means, thereby to cause rotation of the web-carrying shafts in selected directions.

Still another object is to provide means in the shaft mounting that will be effective to retain the web' under a desired amount of tension.

Other objects will appear from the following descriptio'n, the claims appended thereto, and from the annexed drawing,` in which like reference characters designate like parts throughout the several views, and wherein:

Figure l is a side elevational view lof a mechanical pencil formed in accordance with( the present invention;

Figure 2 is an enlarged longitudinal sectional View, taken substantially on line 2-2 of Figure 1;'

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view on' line 3--3 of FigureZ;

VFigure 4 is a longitudinal sectional View on line 4-4 or" Figure 2;

Figure 5 isV a transverse sectional view on line 5-5 of Figure 4; and

Figure 6' is an exploded perspective View, in` which parts are sectioned away, showing theshaft assembly'and the means for operating the same.

Referring` to the drawings in detail,` the reference numeral-10 has been applied generally to a mechanical pencil. The mechanical pencil is basically of conventional design, so far as the loading, replacement,` and feeding of leads are concerned. Thus, the pencil has a conventional tip 12, and has an elongated cylindrical barrel- 14- of hollow formation.

Asl shown in Figure 2, the barrel 14, at that end thereof remote from the tip 12, is formed with external threads 16' engageable by complementary internal threads formed upon a Spanner sleeve or nut 18 having the usual pocketengaging clip 19. The sleeve 18 is formed, at that end thereof remote from the threads 16, with an inwardly directed circumferential shoulder Z0.

A'cap 22 has, at one end, an outwardly directed circuiferential shoulder 24 engageabl'e by the shoulder 20. Shoulder 2,0 thus limits movement of cap 22 in a direction away from the barrel 14, that is, to the right in Fig- 2,764,827 Fatented Oct. 2, 1956 ure 2. However, the shoulder 20 does not limit cap 22' against movement for a short distance in an opposite direction, to the left in Figure 2. The purposeof this construction will be made presently apparent.

At its outer end, that is, that end remote from the barrel 14, the cap22 is formed with an endwall. 26:

The inner end edge of the cap 22 is formed with a circumferential series of ratchet teeth 28 (Figures 2t and 3). Asociated with said teeth are diametrically opposite,l oppositely extending spring pawls 30 anchored to the ad jacent end of the barrel 14.

The pawls 30 are so tensioned as to normally urge the cap 22 in a direction away from the barrel 14, said pawls thus hol-ding the shoulders 20, 24 in engagement with one another under normal conditions, as shownin Figure 2. However, the cap 22 can be shifted longitudinally of barrel 14 against the restraining action of the springpawls 30. In each position to which the cap 22 is adjusted longitudinally of the barrel, however, the spring pawls will still be disposed for ratcheting engagement with the teeth 28, thus to permit rotation of the cap 22 in one direction, while holding said cap against rotation in an opposite direction.

A web support assembly 32 is mounted interiorly of the barrel 14, adjacent cap 22, and includes, at one end, an end wall 34 integral or otherwise made-rigid with a cylin'ldrical side wall 3e. End wail 34 and side wall- 36 cooperate to define, at said end of the assembly 32, a cup-like housing receiving one end of parallel7 elongated shafts 3S, 4t). t

A leaf spring 42 is anchored at its opposite endsin diametrically opposite portions of the side wail 34, as best shown in Figure 4. Intermediate its ends, the leaf spring 42 is extended .into engagement with the shafts-38, 4t?, the leaf spring having an ogee configuration as best shown in Figure 4. The leaf Spring serves to exert sufcient pressure upon the shafts 38, 4t), tending tohold the shafts against free rotation. it will be understood, in this regard, that the purpose of holding the shafts 38, dit against free rotation is to assure that the webv carried by sai-d shafts, which web will be described in` detail hereinafter; will not be loosened or slackened excessively, while not in use.

Fixedly connected to the shaft 3,5? is: a bevel gear 44, adapted to be positioned in mesh with the teeth of, a ring gear 46 integrally formed upon the inner surface of the side wall of cap 22. A bevel gear 48 is secured to the shaft40, and is disposed oppositely to the gear44,` as shown in Figure 4. Gear 48 is adapted to mesh with.. a ring gear 50 disposed adjacent the ring. gear 46, and also formed upon the inner surface of the cap 22.` The cap 22 can be formed with an internal, annular rib as shown in Figures 2 and 4, said rib being of triangular cross section and having upwardly converging side sur= faces on which the respective ring gears 46, S0 are formed.

In the shaft and web support assembly 32, means is provided journaling the other ends of the shafts 38, 40 rotatably within the barrel 14. To this end, an inner end plate S2 is provided, said end plate 52 being periphera'lly and inwardly flanged, the flange of said end platebeing integral, at -diametrically opposite locations thereon, with elongated connecting bars S4. The bars 54 are extended in parallel relation within the barrel 14, and are integral, at their other ends, with the side wall 36.

In the barrel 14, adjacent the sleeve 18, elongated sight openings 56 are formed. View windows 53, of plastic, glass or other transparent material, are mounted in said sight openings and it will be understood that if one so desires, magnifying glass or the like could beV used, where the intelligence printed upon the adjustable web is too small to be readily seen with the naked eye.

In the respective shafts 38, 4Q, I form elongated, longitudinal slots 60, 62 respectively. The slots are adapted for engagement therein of the opposite ends of an elongated Web 64. Web 64 can be of paper, parchment, plastic, or any other material on which printed or Written information can be readily placed, and which will be possessed of sufficient durability to warrant its incorporation in a structure such as that shown.

The web 64, as shown in Figure 5, is rolled at its ends about the shafts 38, 4t). intermediate the rolled end portions of the web, said web is trained about the respective connecting bars 54, said bars Sli being transversely curved to conform to the transverse curvature of the barrel 14, and being disposed in closely spaced relation to the respective View or sight windows 58. rlhus, when Ithe web is trained about the connecting bars 54, said web will be tensioned immediately in back of the view Windows, thus to permit the intelligence printed upon the web to be read-ily seen.

It is also considered to be of importance that the particular arrangement of the web relative to the connecting bars is such as to cause one surface of the web to be seen through one view Window, and the other surface of the web to be seen through the other window. By reason of this arrangement, both sides of the web can be provided with printed or written information, thereby to, in effect, double the amo-unt of space on the web available for use.

I achieve this result by extending the Web, as it leaves the shaft 3S, to the nearer edge of one of the connecting bars 54, after Which said web is extended between said connecting bar and the View window adjacent thereto. The web, after being trained about the oppositelongitudinal edge of said connecting bar 54, is extended back toward the shaft 38, so as to edge of the other connecting bar 54 adjacent said shaft 38. The web is then extended in back of the view window adjacent the last-named connecting bar, and is thereafter trained about the other shaft.

It is to be noted that means is incorporated in the invention for preventing rotation of the assembly 32 relative to the barrel 14, While 'at the same time permitting said assembly to be readily removed bodily from the barrel. To this end, the side Wall 36 of the cup-like housing at one end of the assembly 32 is formed with a circumferential series of spline ribs 66, the barrel 14 being formed with an internal, circumferential series of complementarily spline grooves 68. When the assembly 32 is inserted in the barrel i4, the spline ribs and grooves will interengage, thus to hold said assembly against rotation relative to the barrel 14 While tat the same time permitting the assembly to be removed bodily from the barrel, Without difficulty.

In use of the device, it will be understood that the web will be printed with any desired information, such as conversion tables, a calendar, or price or rate information required in certain occupations. One side of the web could be provided With information of this nature, and the other side, which Will be seen through the other view window, will be usable for telephone numbers, addresses, etc.

YIn any event, assuming that it is desired to roll up the web in a selected direction, one need merely rotate the cap 2.2. As a result, and assuming that the cap 22 is in the position thereof shown in Figure 4, the bevel gear 48 will be rotated, at a rate of speed substantially greater than that with which the cap 22 is manually turned.

Rotation of gear 48 Will be effective to cause simultaneous rotation of shafts 3S, 40, so as to adjust the web in one direction, the web being rolled up on one shaft, and being unrolled from the other shaft. Obviously, when the gear 4g is in mesh with gear 56, the web will be rolled onto the shaft 4t), While being simultaneously unrolled from the shaft 38.

be trained about the back .1

While the parts are in this position, the gear 44 will be out of mesh with its associated ring gear 46. If it is desired to shift the web in the opposite direction, it is merely necessary that pressure be applied against the end Wall 26 of cap 22, tending to shift the cap 22 inwardly in the direction of the barrel 14, against the restnaining action of spring pawls 30. This will cause the gear 48 to be shifted out of mesh With the ring gear 50, gear 44 now being brought into mesh with ring gear 46. Rotation of the cap 22 in the same direction as it was previously rotated will now be effective to impart a positive drive to shaft 3S, the shaft 38 now turning in a reverse direction, The web vll now be rolled onto the shaft 3S, While being simultaneously unrolled from shaft 4).

rfhe ratchet and pawl means 28, 30 will serve, of course, to hold the cap 22 in any position to which it is rotated, thereby to prevent rotation of the gears 44, 48 to an undesired extent when the device is not in use. At the same time, the loaf spring 42, being tensioned into engagement With the shafts 38, 4t), will serve to exert a braking effect upon the shafts.

The assembly 32 can be removed bodily, of course, from the barrel M, merely by unthreading of the sleeve or nut i8. This permits removal of the cap 22, and the entire assembly 32 can now be taken out of the barrel 14, for replacement of the web or for noting of additional information or indicia thereon.

To facilitate removal of the cap 22, the gears 44, 48 can be splined upon the shafts 38, 40, thereby to permit either or both of said gears 44, 48 to be removed from their associated shafts.

It will be readily perceived that the device is possessed of certain important characteristics. it can be incorpohated in a conventional mechanical pencil Without requiring modification or redesign of the lead-feeding mechanism of said pencil. At the same time, the device can provide valuable information to the user, merely by rotation of the cap 22. To facilitate the rotation of said cap 22, the cap can be exteriorly knurled, ribbed, or roughened, as shown in Figure l. In any event, both faces of the web 64 are usable, at all times, said faces being seen through their respective Windows 58. The web can be swiftly adjusted in either direction, thereby to reduce the amount of time required in finding a selected item of information thereon.

lt is believed apparent that the invention is not necessarily confined to the specific use or uses thereof described above, since it may be utilized for any purpose to which it may be suited. Nor is the invention to be necessarily limited to the specific construction illustrated and described, since such construction is only intended to be illustrative of the principles of operation and the means presently devised to carry out said principles, it being considered that the invention cornprehends any minor change in construction that may be permitted Within the scope of the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In a mechanical pencil, a barrel having a wall adapted for viewing of the barrel interior therethrough; a pair of shafts journaled in said barrel; a web having its ends rolled onto said shafts for viewing of the web through the barrel wall; gears on the respective shafts; a cap mounted on one end of said barrel for rotation and for adjustment longitudinally of the barrel, said cap having ring gears respectively adapted to mesh with the gears of the respective shafts with said ring gears being so arranged as to drivingly engage the cap with the gear of one shaft on longitudinal adjustment of the cap in one direction, and drivingly engage the cap with the gear 0f the other shaft on longitudinal adjustment of the cap in an opposite direction; and ratchet-and-pawl means on the barrel and cap respectively, arranged to permit rotation of the cap in one direction While holding the cap against rotation in an opposite direction, said means comprising a circumferential series of ratchet teeth on the cap, and circumferentially spaced spring pawls secured at one end to the barrel and engaging said teeth to limit the cap to unidirectional movement, said pawls being tensioned to exert a yielding pressure against the cap in an axial direction tending to shift the cap longitudinal- 1y of the shafts to a normal position in which one of the ring gears is drivingly engaged with its associated shaft gear, each ring gear being disengaged from its associated shaft gear when the other ring and shaft gears are `drivingly engaged.

2. In a mechanical pencil, a cylindrical barrel having a wall' adapted for viewing of the barrel interior therethrough, said barrel being formed open at least at one end and having an internal, circumferential series of spline grooves at said end; a web support assembly including an end plate at one end extending across the barrel interior and disposed in contact at its periphery with the wall of the barrel, a cup-like housing at its other end formed with an external, circumferential series of spline ribs engaged with said grooves to hold the assembly against rotation relative to the barrel while permitting removal of the assembly from the barrel, said housing including a portion projecting out of said end of the barrel, and a pair of diametrically opposed bars connected between the end plate and housing and extending longitudinally of the barrel within the same; a pair of shafts journaled in the end plate and housing respectively and extending at one end beyond the housing; a web having its ends secured to the respective shafts, said web being trained about said bars; a cylindrical cap receiving the projecting portion of the housing, said cap being rotatable upon and shiftable axially of the housing; resilient, yielding means on said end of the barrel exerting a pressure against the cap tending to shift the same in a direction axially of the cap away from the barrel; internal ring gear means afxed to the cap; and gears on the respective shafts spaced longitudinally of the barrel, one meshing with the ring gear means on shifting of the cap away from the barrel by said resilient, yielding means and the other meshing with the ring gear means on axial movement of the cap in an opposite direction.

3. In a mechanical pencil, a cylindrical barrel having a wall adaptedY for viewing of the barrel interior therethrough, said barrel being formed open at least at one end and having an internal, circumferential series of spline grooves at said end; a web support assembly including an end plate at one end extending across the barrel interior and disposed in contact at its periphery with the wall of the barrel, a cup-like housing at its other end formed with an external, circumferential series of spline ribs engaged with said grooves to hold the assembly against rotation relative to the barrel while permitting removal of the assembly from the barrel, said housing including a portion projecting out of said end of the barrel, and a pair of diametrically opposed bars connected between the end plate and housing and extending longitudinally of the barrel within the same; a pair of shafts journaled in said end plate and housing respectively and extending at one end beyond the housing; a web having its ends secured to the respective shafts, said web being trained about said bars; a cylindrical cap receiving `the projecting portion of the housing, said cap being rotatable upon and shiftable axially of the housing; resilient, yielding means on said end of the barrel exerting a pressure against the cap tending to shift the same in a direction axially of the cap away from the barrel; internal ring gear means affixed to the cap; and gears on the respective shafts spaced longitudinally of the barrel, one meshing with the ring gear means on shifting of the cap away from the barrel by said resilient, yielding means and the other meshing with the ring gear means on axial movement of 4the cap in an opposite direction, said resilient, yielding means comprising at least one leaf spring anchored at one end to said end of the barrel and curved on the same radius as the barrel to extend along a portion of the circumference of the barrel, said spring at its other end being spaced outwardly from said end of the barrel and the cap including a circumferential series of ratchet teeth engageable by said other end of the leaf spring to limit the cap to rotation in one direction only.

References Cited in the le of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 250,236 Hackney Nov. 29, 1881 792,904 King .lune 20, 1905 1,885,541 OKeefe Nov. l, 1932 2,191,662 Huffaker Feb. 27, 1940 FOREIGN PATENTS 922,182 France June 2, 1947 

